Blessing
On each threshold, wisdom;
at every doorway, love;
through every entry, grace;
with each beginning, peace.
Jan L. Richardson
My elderly next door neighbor moved out of her home yesterday. Our houses shared a wall, but our hearts had found a home in each other. Over the past decade, we traded coffee, sugar, baked goods, and quips.
My dog enjoyed sitting on her porch on cool summer evenings while we talked of everything and nothing. She often watched for me from her bedroom window to make sure that I had gotten home safely on late work nights.
However, as her children have wisely found, her body can no longer handle the multiple levels of these houses. She would be more comfortable on one floor. I understand, and know that it's best, but still I find myself looking at the now-empty windows and feeling sad. I know that someday a well meaning younger relative will be moving me, too. But I know that I will be blessed with each new beginning, as I have been blessed by her in this place.
My dog enjoyed sitting on her porch on cool summer evenings while we talked of everything and nothing. She often watched for me from her bedroom window to make sure that I had gotten home safely on late work nights.
However, as her children have wisely found, her body can no longer handle the multiple levels of these houses. She would be more comfortable on one floor. I understand, and know that it's best, but still I find myself looking at the now-empty windows and feeling sad. I know that someday a well meaning younger relative will be moving me, too. But I know that I will be blessed with each new beginning, as I have been blessed by her in this place.
